Scientific ethos and the cinematic zombie outbreak: Science in fictional narratives

Authors

  • Leah Ceccarelli University of Washington (USA).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.4472

Keywords:

rhetoric of science, frontier of science, science fiction, viral pandemics, public attitudes toward science

Abstract

Public anxiety about emerging biothreats is evident in the recent glut of popular entertainment where the demise, or near demise, of humankind is imagined to be the result of a new infectious pathogen against which science has no existing vaccine or cure. This article examines the figure of the scientist in such fictional narratives and what these characterizations indicate about public attitudes toward science in our contemporary world. It focuses in particular on the image of the scientist as clumsy naïve, immoral experimenter, heroic savior, and self-reflexive ethical agent.

 

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Author Biography

Leah Ceccarelli, University of Washington (USA).

Professor at the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, Seattle (USA). Her most recent book is On the frontier of science: An American rhetoric of exploration and exploitation (Michigan State University Press, 2013).

References

Boluk, S., & Lenz, W. (2010). Infection, media, and capitalism: From early modern plagues to postmodern zombies. The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, 10, 126–147.

Boyle, D. (Director), & Macdonald, A. (Producer). (2002). 28 days later [motion picture]. United Kingdom: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Ceccarelli, L. (2013). On the frontier of science: An American rhetoric of exploration and exploitation. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press.

Collins, F. S. (2005, August 7). Exploring the frontiers of life: Northwest at forefront of pioneering effort to mine the secrets of the human genome. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from: http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/exploring-the-frontiers-of-life

Forster, M. (Director), Bryce, I., Gardner, D., Kleiner, J., & Pitt, B. (Producers). (2013). World War Z [motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions.

Halperin, V. (Director), & Halperin, E. (Producer). (1932). White zombie [motion picture]. United States: A Victor and Edward Halpern Production.

Haynes, R. (2003). From alchemy to artificial intelligence: Stereotypes of the scientist in Western literature. Public Understanding of Science, 12, 243–253. doi: 10.1177/0963662503123003

Klosterman, C. (2010, December 3). My zombie, myself: Why modern life feels rather undead. New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/arts/television/05zombies.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Lawrence, F. (Director), Goldsman, A., Heyman, D., Lassiter, J., & Moritz, N. H. (Producers). (2007). I am legend [motion picture]. United States: Warner Brothers Pictures.

Romero, G. A. (Director), Hardman, K., & Streiner, R. (Producers). (1968). Night of the living dead [Motion Picture]. United States: An Image Ten Production.

Watts, E. K. (2014). ‘The incessant moan’: Reanimating zombie voices. Carroll C. Arnold Distinguished Lecture 2013. Washington D. C.: National Communication Association. Retrieved from: https://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/Convention_and_Events/Annual_Convention/NCA Manuscript 2014_FINAL.pdf

Weingart, P. (2003). Of power maniacs and unethical geniuses: Science and scientists in fiction film. Public Understanding of Science, 12, 279-287. doi: 10.1177/0963662503123006

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Published

2016-04-15

How to Cite

Ceccarelli, L. (2016). Scientific ethos and the cinematic zombie outbreak: Science in fictional narratives. Metode Science Studies Journal, (6), 107–113. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.4472
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Issue

Science grid: The public understanding of science (2016)

Section

Word of Science. The rhetoric of scientific communication

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